AARP New York Applauds Mayor Ben Walsh for Recognizing Family Caregivers Month

SYRACUSE, NY— Today, AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel issued the following statement in response to Mayor Ben Walsh recognizing National Family Caregivers Month.  

“On behalf of AARP’s 2.2 million members age 50-plus in New York, I thank Mayor Walsh for recognizing National Family Caregivers Month. 

Today, 63 million Americans — including 4 million here in New York — step up as family caregivers, helping older parents, spouses, and other loved ones live independently at home rather than in costly nursing homes. These everyday heroes hold up a broken long-term care system, managing medications, preparing meals, helping with bathing and dressing, and more.

In New York state, family caregivers provide 2.1 billion hours of care each year, worth $39 billion in unpaid labor. The toll is heavy: financially, physically, and emotionally. Most family caregivers work full or part-time jobs, and many must reduce their hours or quit their jobs entirely to make sure their loved one gets the care they need. 

AARP New York applauds Mayor Walsh for shining a light on family caregivers. But more action is needed. That’s why AARP is pushing for commonsense solutions that help them save money and time and provide them with more support.” 

Mayor Ben Walsh stated: “Syracuse’s caregivers are among 63 million caregivers recognized as part of National Family Caregivers Month for their essential role in sustaining families and communities. These extraordinary individuals deserve not only our gratitude, but also greater awareness and support.”

AARP New York volunteer Bob O’Connor of Syracuse said, “A caregiver must be able to drop anything they are doing to respond to one or more needs of the patient. They also should be knowledgeable of what services she/he can provide at that time OR when and where to turn for a higher level of help. It's a tricky responsibility and should be noted as such.“

At the state level, AARP New York has fought to ensure home- and community-based services administered through the State Office for the Aging that support family caregivers and their aging loved ones such as respite care and transportation services are available to all who seek them. In what is expected to be a challenging budget year coming up for New York State, AARP New York will be working to protect all the progress the state has made in addressing unmet need for these services in recent years, including the record $45 million additional unmet need funding included in the most recent state budget by Governor Hochul and state lawmakers.

At the federal level, AARP is advocating for financial relief for caregivers through the Credit for Caring Act, a proposed federal tax credit of up to $5,000 for working caregivers, and the Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act, which would expand flexible spending and health savings account uses.

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About AARP 
AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.